Roughnecks Blanked 1-0 in Season Opener

By Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 03/17/18, 10:00PM CDT

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Fabian Cerda denies a goal (Photo by Matt Christensen)

The Tulsa Roughnecks FC opened up the season against their in-state rival on Saturday night, and could not find the back of the net in the first round of the Black Gold Derby while an early goal from Oklahoma City ended up being the only one of the match, and Tulsa was defeated 1-0.

The opening minutes got started in an ideal way for Oklahoma City. In the 6th minute, FC Dallas loanee Francis Atuahene intercepted a pass that allowed him to sprint and find an open look just inside the box. The shot left Tulsa goalkeeper Fabian Cerda with little chance and gave the Energy an early 1-0 advantage.

The Roughnecks settled down and came close to leveling things before halftime. The best chance came when Fernando Arce served a great ball from a free kick, but Claudio Munoz just missed a header within a couple feet to the right of the net.

Arce also served a good ball to Michael Gamble who took a left footed shot to the left corner that was saved by Matt Van Oekel.

After halftime, the Energy had a golden opportunity to add a second when when Cerda was deemed to have handled a back pass. Oklahoma City received an indirect free keep deep in the box, but Cerda came up big and denied the chance.

The TRFC keeper played the hero role again on another good chance for the Energy. In the 70th minute, midfielder Callum Ross served a ball to Ema Twumasi right in front of the goal, but Cerda rejected the shot.

Tulsa was forced to finish 10 vs 11 when captain Francisco Ugarte was issued a second card yellow in stoppage time.

TRFC was unable to find an equalizer, and OKC took the first round of the Black Gold Derby 1-0.

Roughnecks Head Coach David Vaudreuil saw promise in his side’s first outing of the season. “I knew it would be a tough first 20 minutes,” said Vaudreuil. “We gave up the early goal and were lucky to survive the indirect free kick, but we had a good spell after the goal. We did some positive things. The next three matches are at home on the grass, and we will see more of what we are trying to do.”

The Roughnecks will have their next chance at their first three points of the season when they play their home opener next Saturday, March 24. They will host the Real Monarchs SLC at ONEOK Field with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

It will be the first of three straight home matches for the Roughnecks as they will host Orange County SC on Saturday, March 31 (Kickoff at 3:00 p.m.) in the first-ever afternoon match at ONEOK Field. The Portland Timbers 2 will close out the set of home games, playing in Tulsa on Wednesday, April 4 (Kickoff at 7:00 p.m.).

Tickets for the home opener, and all other 2018 matches at ONEOK Field, are currently available online by clicking HERE, over the telephone at (918)744-5901 or in person at the stadium ticket office.